Japanese Shakuhachi

The Japanese Zen Buddhist meditation flute has a double purpose when made with the root stock of the bamboo colm, in that it is also a formidable club. Traditionally the tuning of this five holed end blown flute is pentatonic, which is a five toned scale with each note harmonizing with all the notes in the scale. The Shakuhachi has many schools of expression and can lead the player deep into the culture of medieval Japan where it has it's origin. To say that the Shakuhachi is a subtle instrument is an understatement. Spirit Song Flutes encourages simplicity before complexity and encourages personal exploration through spontaneous musical expression. The Shakuhachi lends its self well to this role. This particular flute is made of madake bamboo, a temperate timber bamboo known for its thick walls and resilience. Spirit Song Flutes make our flutes so that they may be utilized in self defense and for practice of applicable Kata, as is traditional. The word Shakuhachi is a measurement of the instruments length, one foot eight inches. Spirit Song Flues Shakuhachi's come in different keys and therefore different lengths, the traditional key is D pentatonic. Spirit Song Flutes offer Shakuhachi's in the pentatonic keys of E, D, C, B, B flat, and A. The tone is haunting and hallow like breathing exercises in meditation the control of the breath by the player is essential to eliciting a pleasing tone.